Success Rockets

Success Rockets (Russian: АО «Успешные ракеты») is a private Russian space company that produces ultralight suborbital and orbital launch vehicles, small spacecraft, satellite constellations, and space tugs. The company was founded in 2020 by Oleg Mansurov. In October 2021, Success Rockets includes subsidiaries in several Russian regions.[1]

Success Rockets
TypePrivately held company
IndustrySpace
Founded2020
FounderOleg Mansurov
Headquarters
Russia
Key people
Oleg Mansurov (CEO)
ProductsSuborbital and orbital launch vehicles, small spacecraft, satellite constellations, space tugs, Earth remote sensing and data analysis
SubsidiariesSR Rockets, SR Satellites, SR CMS, SR Data
Websitesrspace.ru/en

Success Rockets operates in Earth remote sensing, data generation, processing, and analysis. The first orbital test flights and commercial launches have been planned for 2024.[2][3][4][5]

History

Success Rockets was officially registered as a private space company in July 2020.[6] Mansurov's IT experience allowed SC to earn from satellite imagery data analysis. The company collects images from open sources or purchases them from foreign organizations.[7][3]

According to Mansurov, negotiations with investors lasted for five years.[8][9] Interfax names Mansurov as the sole owner of Success Rockets.[7][10][5] In the end of 2021, the company announced plans to go public in two-three years' time.[11]

Team and development

As of September 2021, Success Rockets employed more than 40 specialists—engineering designers, chemists, ballisticians, mathematicians, programmers, electronic designers, satellite construction, and rocket science experts.[5][12] To increase cost-efficiency and accelerate production, the company outsources the development and buys ready-made parts from Russian Academy of Sciences and other universities. In his interviews, Mansurov mentions at least eight different development teams from MAI, BMSTU, Voenmeh, and major business companies to outsource development tasks at different stages of the project.[9]

Success Rockets plans to outsource most production and assembly works. To reduce costs, Success Rockets electronics are imported from China. They expects to get commercial orders from international private companies but also plan to collaborate with Russian state agencies.[10][8]

Profile

Success Rockets focuses on design, production, and testing ultralight launch vehicles—a suborbital Nebo (trans. ‘Sky’) and an orbital Stalker. The company also produces small spacecraft and satellite constellations, used for communications and Earth remote sensing.

Success Rockets designs space tugs and performs data processing. By creating its own full development cycle, the company strives for cost efficiency and resource saving.[13]

Success Rockets plans to reach the project capacity in three steps. First suborbital flights in the 20 to 100 km (12 to 62 mi) range are scheduled for late 2021 and 2022. This stage also includes engine and fuel testing, building satellite models, and a space tug. The second stage includes production of an ultralight carrier rocket and its test flight at 200 km (120 mi) altitude with a satellite platform and a space tug. At the third stage, Success Rockets plans to scale up the production of ultralight rockets, satellites, and space tugs, and launch them from its own spaceports.[4][14]

Ultralight rockets[15]

Nebo is an ultralight rocket designed for scientific experiments, atmosphere, and meteorological research.[3] The Stalker launch vehicle is planned to carry more than 250 kg (550 lb) payload to a 500 km (310 mi) Sun-synchronous orbit. The first launch is scheduled for 2024.[16]

Success Rockets mostly applies its own technologies and solutions in its rockets. For instance, the engine body is made of carbon fibers, and heat-resistant graphite is used for the de Laval nozzle.[17] To avoid pollution, the team aims to design a zero-waste staging system where all the detached stages burn in the atmosphere after separation.[10]

The rocket's layout was displayed in December 2021.[18] In December 2022, the company introduced an internally developed series of reusable liquid-propellant rocket engines. All engines are composed of Russian-made components.[19]

Satellites

Success Rockets produces platforms for different small satellites. For example, Skibr-cub, Skibr-micro, and Skibr-mini are used for CubeSats and larger satellites that are mainly purposed for Earth Remote sensing with resolution of 0.5–5 meters,[20] Internet of things, and satellite communication.[21] The production is led by a subsidiary company SR Satellites that was launched in April 2021 in Rostov region.[22][23]

Satellite constellations

In March 2021, Success Rockets announced the development of a 200 kg (440 lb) satellite for gas emissions monitoring.[24] In September 2021, it was showcased at the 26th UN Conference on Climate Change in Glasgow.[25] A constellation of 60 satellites equipped with two types of spectrometers will form a climate change monitoring system. This program is managed by SR CMS subdivision.[26][27] The system will track greenhouse gasses concentrations in the atmosphere, collect and analyse climate change data.[28]

In October 2021 the company announced plans to create satellite constellations for Earth radar remote sensing that will potentially be demanded by FSUE Atomflot, Rosatom, and Sovcomflot for the Northern Sea Route navigation.[13]

All constellations are designed for low orbit and will burn up in the atmosphere after service without polluting the space.[29]

Space data analysis

The first area of the company's work was space data analysis for Russian and international markets. A steady increase in the number of satellites orbiting the Earth makes data processing one of the most popular services[3] that is in great demand for construction, agriculture, natural disasters prognosis, and ecological monitoring.[4] IT companies are the biggest consumers of satellite data on the international market. Russian telecom giants MegaFon, Beeline, MTS (network provider), corporations Yandex and Mail.ru, and large banks announced plans on the creation and launching of their own satellites.[10] As of 2021, state orders made more than 70% of the satellite data market. Success Rockets primarily focuses on private clients.[7]

Space tugs

SR's lineup of space tugs includes Strannik-1 and Strannik-2 models. Strannik-1 is designed to work with small satellites in low Earth orbit. Strannik-2 is designed for Interplanetary spaceflights. Estimated payload costs will range from $20,000 to $90,000, respectively.[14] Some space tugs are planned to tow space debris from high orbit to burn up in dense atmosphere.[29]

Tests and launches
  • In December 2020, the company's 600 kg (1,300 lb) thrust engine had a successful test run.
  • In April 2021, first test flights were made in Kirov Oblast. The tested prototype of the UR-1 meteorological rocket and its onboard systems were designed in six months. The flight at 2000 m altitude lasted more than 90 seconds.[30][31] The prototype will be further used for the design of the suborbital meteorological rocket Nebo.[32]
  • In December 2021 Success Rockets had a successful test flight of Nebo-25 rocket with femtosatellites (spacecraft weighing less than 100g) at the Kapustin Yar test site. The carrier reached 7000 m altitude when the emergency systems activated. The satellites were recording telemetry data during the flight. The flight made Success Rockets the first private Russian company that achieved more than one launch per year.[33][34][35]

Spaceport

In 2020, Success Rockets announced plans to build its own spaceport. At present Russia has no sites suitable for ultralight launches even though there is a commercial potential. At first, the company considered three locations: Primorsky Krai (‘Asia’ spaceport), south Russia (‘Europe’ spaceport), and the Arctic region near Tiksi.[10] SR's spaceport is planned to have two rocket launchers, a test site, an RKA Mission Control Centre, a rocket production centre, a small airfield, a hotel for employees and tourists, and a railway station.[21] Currently test launches are made at the Ministry of Defence sites.[10][36]

By autumn 2021, Rostov Oblast had been chosen as the most suitable region for construction due to its economic and geographic location and developed transport infrastructure.[37]

Partnership and customers

Success Rockets expects legal support, access to test stands, and orders from the Roscosmos corporation as the Sfera project requires hundreds of small spacecraft.[38][9] The company is already working with Roscosmos's subdivisions.[12]

In July 2021 Roscartography placed an order for a constellation of 36 satellites for Earth remote sensing in optical and infrared spectral ranges.[39] In December an agreement was signed with Rostelecom. The companies plan to create a satellite constellation for broadband Internet and collaborate in data analysis.[40]

In August 2021 SR and China's Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed an agreement on space cooperation on Chinese territory. According to the agreement, an SR subdivision will be opened at the Wenchang Space Launch Site on Hainan Island. The Wenchang province is developing into a space exploration cluster with promising legal conditions.[5] Mansurov hopes to attract Chinese partners, probably because in 2020 local investments in private space companies reached almost $1 billion.[41] In March 2022, an SR's subsidiary SR Satellites was selected by the Zayed Middle East accelerator. The accelerator provides startups access to the UAE market.[42]

References
  1. "Руководители и учредители: Мансуров Олег Геннадьевич" [CEO and Founders: Mansurov Oleg Gennadyevich] (in Russian). RBC Companies. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  2. Granovskaya, K. (2020-06-18). "Организатор хакатонов Олег Мансуров пообещал построить сверхлёгкую ракету в России и заявил, что привлёк на это $50 млн" [Hackathon Organizer Oleg Mansurov Plans to Build Superlight launch Vehicle in Russia and Claims to Raise $50 million Investments] (in Russian). vc.ru. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  3. "Новые космические бизнесы" [New Businesses in Space] (in Russian). Esquire. 2021-03-26. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  4. "Ракеты-носители сверхлегкого класса: ниша на рынке пусковых услуг и перспективные проекты" [Superlight Launch Vehicles: New Rooms on Launch Market and Perspective Projects] (in Russian). ВЭС ВКС. 2019-09-05. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  5. Елена Черкас (2021-09-22). ""Нам не нужна золотая ракета, которую никто не купит". Обзор космического стартапа Success Rockets" [“We Don’t need a Golden Launch Vehicle That No One Will Buy”. Review of Success Rockets Space Start-Up] (in Russian). Rusbase. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  6. "Карточка компании АО Успешные ракеты" [Success Rockets: Profile] (in Russian). RBC Companies. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  7. Zhukova, C. (2021-04-07). "Основатель мессенджера "Серафим" инвестировал в частную космическую компанию" [Founder of Serafim Messenger Invests in Private Space Company]. Forbes (in Russian). Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  8. "Success Rockets: частный космический проект из России" [Success Rockets: Private Space Company from Russia] (in Russian). Popular Mechanics. 2020-10-30. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  9. Vorobyov, A. (2020-06-18). "Частная российская компания инвестирует в разработку сверхлегкой ракеты" [Private Russian Company Invests in Superlight Launch Vehicle Development] (in Russian). Vedomosti. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  10. Shamuev, G. (2021-01-11). "Косплей на SpaceX, или как частные космические компании выживают в России" [Cosplaying SpaceX, or How Do Private Space Companies Survive in Russia?] (in Russian). Hi-Tech.Mail.ru. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
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  12. "Глава компании Success Rockets: частный космос в России — пока неопознанный зверь" [Head of Success Rockets: Private Space Enterprises Still Unknown in Russia]. TASS. 2021-06-04. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  13. "Олег Мансуров: я бы сказал Илону Маску "spasibo"" [Oleg Mansurov: I Would Thank Elon Musk] (in Russian). RIA Novosti. 2021-06-10. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  14. "Частная российская космическая компания Success Rockets представила ракеты, буксиры и платформы для создания спутников" [Private Russian Company Success Rockets Introduces Rockets, Space Tugs and Platforms for Satellite Production] (in Russian). ComNews. 2020-10-20. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  15. "LAS VEGAS SANDS CORP., a Nevada corporation, Plaintiff, v. UKNOWN REGISTRANTS OF www.wn0000.com, www.wn1111.com, www.wn2222.com, www.wn3333.com, www.wn4444.com, www.wn5555.com, www.wn6666.com, www.wn7777.com, www.wn8888.com, www.wn9999.com, www.112211.com, www.4456888.com, www.4489888.com, www.001148.com, and www.2289888.com, Defendants". Gaming Law Review and Economics. 20 (10): 859–868. December 2016. doi:10.1089/glre.2016.201011. ISSN 1097-5349.
  16. "Кто зарабатывает на космосе в России и мире" [Making Money in Space: Russian and International Players] (in Russian). RBC Trends. 2021-05-17. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  17. Kochkina, E. (2020-12-17). "В России создали самый мощный частный ракетный двигатель" [Most Powerful Private Engine Introduced in Russia] (in Russian). Rusbase. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  18. Gordin, S. (2021-12-09). "Гранты для исследователей и роль женщин в науке: в разгаре второй день Конгресса молодых ученых" [Congress of Young Scientists Second Day: Research Grants and Women in Science] (in Russian). NTV. Retrieved 2022-01-10.
  19. "Российская частная космическая компания Success Rockets разработала линейку собственных ракетных двигателей" [Russian Private Space Company Success Rockets Introduces Own Rocket Engines]. Popular Mechanics (in Russian). Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  20. "Частная космическая компания Success Rockets пообещала построить космодром в Дагестане" [Private Space Company Success Rockets Plans to Build Spaceport in Dagestan] (in Russian). Habr. 2020-12-24. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  21. "Компания Success Rockets планирует построить частный космодром в Дагестане" [Success Rockets to Build Spaceport in Dagestan] (in Russian). TASS. 2020-12-24. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  22. "Success Rockets открыла в Ростове компанию по производству спутников" [Success Rockets Launches Subsidiary to Produce Satellites in Rostov] (in Russian). RBC. 2021-07-15. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  23. "Новая космическая компания SR Satellites открылась в Ростове-на-Дону" [New Space Company SR Satellites Launched in Rostov-on-Don] (in Russian). Expert South. 2021-07-15. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  24. Berestovaya, A. (2021-03-06). "В России работают над прототипом спутника для мониторинга выброса парниковых газов" [Prototype of Gas Emissions Monitoring Satellite Designed in Russia] (in Russian). Zvezda TV Channel. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  25. "Space Company Success Rockets Presented the Demonstrator Model of the First Russian Specialized Satellite forMonitoring main Climate-Active Substances 'DIANA' at the 26th UN Climate Conference in Glasgow". EIJ Journal. 2021-11-11. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  26. "АО "Успешные ракеты" займется созданием глобальной климатической мониторинговой системы" [Success Rockets Announces Global Climate Change Monitoring System] (in Russian). TASS. 2021-06-04. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  27. "Космическая компания Success Rockets представила макет спутника для мониторинга парниковых газов на 26-ой климатической конференции" [Success Rockets Space Company Introduces Draft of Greenhouse Gasses Observing Satellite at 26 Climate Conference] (in Russian). Popular Mechanics. 2021-11-11. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  28. "Новая спутниковая система мониторинга климата создается в России" [New Climate Change Monitoring System Developed in Russia] (in Russian). Ecosphere. 2021-05-26. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  29. Cherkas, E. (2021-04-12). ""Приостановить космическую деятельность лет на десять": почему проблему орбитального мусора больше нельзя игнорировать" [‘Cease Space Activity for 10 Years’: Why Space Debris Issue Can No Longer Be Ignored] (in Russian). Rusbase. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
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  31. "Первые испытания прототипа частной метеоракеты Success Rockets прошли успешно" [Successful Trials of Success Rocket Private Meteorological Rocket] (in Russian). HighTech. 2021-04-13. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  32. Kotlova, O. (2021-04-19). "Прошли первые испытания прототипа отечественной метеоракеты УР-1 от Success Rockets" [Russian Success Rockets Successfully Trials UR-1 Meteorological Rocket] (in Russian). SPARK. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  33. "Российская компания Success Rockets впервые запустила свою суборбитальную ракету NEBO 25" [Russian Company Success Rockets First Launches Its Suborbital Rocket Nebo 25]. TASS (in Russian). 2021-12-24. Retrieved 2022-01-10.
  34. Kurasheva, A. (2021-12-24). "Российская космическая компания Success Rockets совершила первый суборбитальный запуск" [Russian Company Success Rockets Makes First Successful Suborbital Launch]. Inc. (in Russian). Retrieved 2022-01-10.
  35. "Частная космическая компания Success Rockets и художник Никита Реплянский представили первый суборбитальный NFT" [Russian Private Company Success Rockets and Artist Nikita Replyanski Introduce First Suborbital NFT] (in Russian). Popular Mechanics. 2021-12-24. Retrieved 2022-01-10.
  36. "Российский ракетный стартап собирается бить рекорды" [Russian Rocket Startup Aims for Records] (in Russian). Sevastopol TV. 2021-09-26. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  37. "Где в Ростовской области построить космодром? Площадку для запуска частных ракет ждут к 2025 году" [Spaceport in Rostov Oblast? Private Launch Site Expected by 2025] (in Russian). 161.ru. 2021-06-10. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  38. "Success Rockets заходит на частную территорию" [Success Rockets Enters Private Grounds] (in Russian). Kommersant. 2020-06-18. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  39. "Роскартография подписала соглашение о сотрудничестве с частной компанией Success Rockets" [Roscartography to Cooperate with Private Success Rockets Company] (in Russian). TASS. 2021-07-20. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  40. ""Ростелеком" подписал соглашение с частной космической компанией Success Rockets" [Rostelecom Signs Agreement with Private Russian Company Success Rockets]. TASS (in Russian). Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  41. "Российская частная компания Success Rockets создаст "дочку" в Китае" [Russian Private Company Success Rockets to Create Subsidiary in China] (in Russian). Interfax. 2021-08-20. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  42. Solyanick, A. (2 March 2022). "Российская компания по разработке спутников SR Satellites прошла в акселератор Фонда имени Шейха Зайеда" [Russian Satellite Developer SR Satellites Qualifies for Zayed Middle East Accelerator] (in Russian). Retrieved 2022-03-09.
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